Winemaker Notes
The rich, volcanic soils provide the base for the incredible concentration of flavor that the grapes from the Grist Vineyard showcase in the glass. We find this wine to be where power and elegance meet--a special offering of delicious bramble fruits, spicy aromas, and a full mouthfeel that is sure to please. A wine that beckons with aromas of raspberry, cranberry and clove with a slight air of mesquite at the edges. The palate is equally alluring, with a full mouthfeel headlined by flavors of red plum, bramble fruit and cinnamon.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Adrian Manspeaker makes this wine from an organically farmed vineyard on the top of Bradford Mountain, the vines planted in 1974 by Bill Hambrecht and now farmed by his grandson, Woody. It grows on red volcanic soils, and the more time you spend with it, the more you may be convinced the flavors have the brightness of sun on stone. It starts off dark and juicy, with some blackberry-jam notes over the fresh red-currant coolness. And it’s that currant flavor that takes over with time, its fragrance expanding while the wine’s structure remains tight and formal. Cellar it for a few years, then decant a bottle for roast eggplant stuffed with ground veal.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep ruby-purple, the 2016 Zinfandel Grist Vineyard has an open, giving nose of stone fruit salad, cinnamon toast, blueberry and boysenberry jam with accents of stewed red cherries, Earl Grey tea leaves and red berry jam. Medium to full-bodied, it features juicy fruits but is lacking some intensity in the mouth, with juicy acidity and a peachy finish. 200 cases produced.
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.